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Valleyfield Ash Lagoons - Sunday Herald response 14/05/17

14 May 2017

Information was provided to the Sunday Herald on Thursday and Friday last week regarding SEPA’s involvement with ash emissions from the Valleyfield ash lagoons. Included in our response was a report from Scottish Power which provided information on the composition of the ash from within the lagoon, not the composition of ash in the clouds which affected local residents.

This report is required from Scottish Power under the permit conditions for the ash lagoons and shows that the ash does contain low levels of naturally occurring elements such as chromium and cadmium. This monitoring data is provided for assessment of leachate impact on groundwater and surface water and it shows that the environmental standards set out within the site’s permit have been met. It is not a public health document.

The following statement was also issued to the Sunday Herald:

STATEMENT

Iain Cruickshank, SEPA’s Area Manager for the South East, said:

“Scottish Power have been issued with two enforcement notices for the suppression of ash and dust from the Valleyfield Ash Lagoons, near Longannet Power Station. Our officers continue to inspect Scottish Power’s current dust suppression measures to ensure they are adequate and emissions monitoring for particles has also been carried out. While ash from within the lagoon is known to contain low levels of naturally occurring elements such as chromium and cadmium, these meet the environmental standards set out within the site’s permit.

“Our recent monitoring data has also been provided to the relevant health authorities for their assessment on the potential public health impacts from these ash emissions.

“Further dialogue with Scottish Power is expected over the coming weeks to discuss their long term solutions for dust suppression and we will take any further enforcement action necessary to ensure that the site remains in compliance.”